Application of innovative ex vivo chicken intestine culture for comprehensive research on probiotic modulation of gut microbiota in broiler poultry

Poultry plays a key role in the spread of foodborne zoonotic diseases, mainly to consumers, but the lack of representative cell cultures prevents detailed ex vivo studies of the poultry gut and host-pathogen interactions. Commonly used ex vivo gut models are unable to mimic complex interactions with other cell types. A suitable alternative may be the use of recently characterized poultry gut models – explants, with which we can investigate the effects of selected probiotics in relation to their action in the prevention and treatment of foodborne poultry diseases. This innovative ex vivo model was developed at the collaborating department of the Division of Biochemistry, the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry at the University of Budapest. The results obtained from the joint collaboration allow the integration of the latest knowledge in the field of comprehensive research of the gut microbiome and the effects of probiotic bacteria. The results obtained can also support the development of sustainable and innovative approaches to improving the health of broiler poultry, which can have a direct economic impact by increasing the efficiency of agricultural production and reducing the costs associated with managing zoonotic foodborne diseases. For the home workplace and the research team, cooperation means an opportunity to improve professional competencies, access to special technologies and increase attractiveness for further international projects and funding.